Rockland County has officially opened the public comment period for the proposed Ramapo Rail Trail, a project designed to connect Spring Valley, Monsey, Airmont, and Tallman with a continuous multi-use trail. The public comment period runs from July 14 through August 4, 2026.
According to project information released by supporters of the initiative, the trail would provide a safe, car-free path for walking, biking, and outdoor recreation while improving connections between neighboring communities. Organizers say the project is intended to expand transportation options, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen community connectivity across the Town of Ramapo.
The proposed route includes sections through Spring Valley, Monsey, the New York State Thruway area, Airmont, and Tallman, with access near locations including Monsey Glen County Park and the Finkelstein Memorial Library.
Residents are encouraged to share their feedback during the public comment period. Supporters say each respectful individual comment helps demonstrate community interest in the project.
Comments may be submitted by email to RCPlan@co.rockland.ny.us through August 4, 2026.
I strongly oppose the proposed public walking trail behind my property. While I understand the value of creating recreational spaces for the community, placing a public trail directly in my backyard would have a significant negative impact on my family’s quality of life.
A trail in this location would greatly reduce our privacy by bringing a constant flow of people close to our home. It would also increase noise, create safety and security concerns, and make it more difficult for us to enjoy our property peacefully. There is also the possibility of littering, vandalism, trespassing, and disturbances from people using the trail at all hours.
My home is not just a piece of land—it is where my family should be able to feel safe, secure, and enjoy our personal space. A project like this could also reduce the value of nearby homes and permanently change the character of the neighborhood.
I respectfully ask that the government reconsider the proposed route and explore alternative locations that would provide the same public benefit without placing such a burden on the residents who live directly alongside the trail. I support public recreation, but it should not come at the expense of homeowners’ privacy, safety, and peaceful enjoyment of their property.
Think about if it would be in your backyard.Would you want this in your backyard?
For all those people please think about it twice
Thank you
If privacy is that important to you, try to avoid buying a property that borders a public railroad, especially if you bought the property in the past two decades when trails to trails have become very popular.
I’m so jealous that yu have the zechiya to have the trail near your property and help out so many people.
Benjemen, couldn’t you construct a fence and/or plant trees and shrubs to shield your property from the trail? You assumed the rail line near your property would stay abandoned, but there was always a possibility of it being put back into service.
This proposal to repurpose the rail line is very exciting to me as someone who lives in Spring Valley. I think a lot of people from all walks of life would enjoy the trail, and if managed correctly would be a beautiful improvement to Ramapo.
We are a community that loves to do hachnuses oirchem and gemiles chasudem, and we will jump at every opportunity to help out other people. We would like to thank Hashem for giving us this amazing opportunity to help out the tziber. We can’t stop thinking of all the mothers walking safely with strollers to the grocery, all the bucherem riding to yeshivah without having to risk their life at every intersection, all the families being able to attend simchas by having a so much faster route and all the couples taking a quite walk away from all the noise of the streets.
Dovid G
We all agree that the public needs beautiful spaces for recreation, but they don’t belong right in between private homes. We live in a world where fancy “soundbites” govern. They make policy they win elections and unfortunately “soundbites” also play a big role in Jury decision.
Looking at the comments It’s quite obvious that here too the soundbites are flying around to impress people.
1) “try to avoid buying a property that borders a public railroad” it’s a nice soundbite nothing true in it. The railroad isn’t operating for many many years. It has thick grown trees in the path It does not belong to the government It was owned by a private company. anyone who had a hearing for a variance had to notify this company to allow them to agree or to oppose the project. It was quite CLEAR to all property owners that this is not government property!! Many property owners understood that this private company will sell the property one day by dividing it into lots to all neighbors or just do nothing. Why suddenly does a private neighborhood turn into public grounds? Why do we need their voice of approval at every turn, but they don’t need our approval. It’s a shame.
2) “I’m so jealous that you have the zechiya to have the trail near your property and help out so many people.” are you also going to be jealous when the place turns into a place which draws all kind off elements? Or you will say Thank G-d it’s not in my back yard. Public places draw different type of crowds, and even when they are decent crowds they are meant for public places not one foot away from literally HUNREDS of private homes.
3) “couldn’t you construct a fence and/or plant trees and shrubs to shield your property from the trail?” Would YOU pay for it? A public place belongs in a public place not pushed in and snaking through private homes!!
4) The next one is really daring. She lives a few miles away and has an opinion. “This proposal to repurpose the rail line is very exciting to me as someone who lives in Spring Valley. I think a lot of people from all walks of life would enjoy the trail, and if managed correctly would be a beautiful improvement to Ramapo”.
Also did you realize her own admission ” and if managed correctly” is she ready to stand guard it should be managed correctly? Let the neighbors from AIRMONT manage it, I live in SPRING VALLEY.
5) The next one is a glaring nothing more than SOUNDBITE
”We are a community that loves to do hachnuses oirchem and gemiles chasudem, and we will jump at every opportunity to help out other people. We would like to thank Hashem for giving us this amazing opportunity to help out the tziber. We can’t stop thinking of all the mothers walking safely with strollers to the grocery, all the bucherem riding to yeshivah without having to risk their life at every intersection, all the families being able to attend simchas by having a so much faster route and all the couples taking a quite walk away from all the noise of the streets.”
I don’t think I need to comment. But I’ll do it anyway
Yes, it’s true, we are people who love caring for others as he described it very well, yes we open our homes every second or third Shabbos to accommodate families who need to stay in the area. but it’s all done with taste when circumstance allows it. When my daughter gives birth and she needs respite and tranquility, then the house is off limits to others. Then she comes first, and so many other occasions when it’s not the appropriate time for guests and noise and need private we act accordingly. But he is so goodhearted and such a BAAL CHESED that he imposes his goodness on all private homes to become a public place 24/7/365
I do live in this area I will personally be negatively affected by this proposal, and All the neighbors I spoke to are diametrically opposed to this idea!!!